Interpretive Summary: Swithgrass is potentially a major resource for the production of biofuels. However, having healthy plants is critical for optimal production biomass production. Puccinia emaculata is a fungal species that causes rust disease in switchgrass. Knowing more about this pathogen is critical for its control in swichgrass production fields. The study revolved around the development and characterization of DNA markers for Puccinia emaculata. These DNA markers can now be used genetic diversity studies and epidemiological studies.

Technical Abstract:
Ten polymorphic microsatellite loci from the
fungus Puccinia emaculata, responsible for rust disease of
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) were developed. Loci
were characterized using 20 single-pustule derived isolates
of P. emaculata collected from switchgrass plants growing
in the southeastern US. The number of alleles per locus
ranged from 2 to 5. Observed heterozygosity ranged from 0
to 0.89 and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.21 to
0.77. These microsatellite loci provide a sufficient set of
markers to perform genetic diversity and epidemiological
studies of P. emaculata.